Humidifier control apparatus



June 28, 1938. A. H. BEASLEY E-r AL I HUMIDIFIER CONTROL APPARATUS 3 Sheets-Sheet l QQ l. s :411,11 w.' l wmmwmf w E I :ffu/ ww 2 N 0 w v n m m w ...xml NMS?? LA lW fil. Nw %w ,I WN. @2 a A A .N 0 uw m \\w\ S s u @N e ma. w .Q lw l June 2s, 193s. A, 'Hi BEASLEY -ET AIL 2,122,000

HUMIDIFIER CONTROL APPARATUS Filed Dec. 27, 1935 l 3 sheets-sheet 2 l l lllllllln'rlrll;

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HUMIDIFIER Filed Dec. 27, 1935 A. H. BEASLEY ET AL CONTROLIy APPARATUS 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Patented June 28, 1938 HUMIDIFIER. CONTROL APPARATUS Archie H. Beasley and David H. Donahoo, Kanlis, N. C.

Application December 27, 1935, Serial No. 56,369

' 17 Claims. ((1236-44) This invention relates to humidifying control apparatus and particularly to apparatus of this character as used in textile mills, this present application being a continuation in part of our- 5 application, Ser. No. 12,048, filed on the 20th day of March, 1935. y

It is the general practice in textile mills to have humidifier controlling units but in this case only a few humidifier controllingunits are in use l in a mill' because of the expensive nature of this controlling apparatus. v

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide controlling apparatus for the same general purpose but which, due to its simplicity and I the relative cheapness of manufacture,` can be placed closer together within the mill and, therefore, keep a more uniform amount of humidity at particular points or sections in a mill, thus securing better humidification.

A further object in this connection is to provide a device of this character; several of which may be disposed within the same room or section of the mill but at different points therein so as to control the humidity of different sets of apparatus'disposed in-this room or section of the mill. A further object is to provide a humidifying controlling mechanism in which control is secured primarily by the use of a plurality of threads or strands of the sameyarn or other textile material as is being manufactured on the machines associated with .the humidifying device. these threads or yarns having exactly the same characteristics in all respects as the threads or yarns following description.

Our Vinvention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings wherein:-

Figure 1 is a top plan view of one form of controlling mechanism; A Figure 2 is a longitudinal sectional view thereof on the line 2-2 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 .is a horizontal sectional view through the tension indicator;

Figure 4 is a section on the line 4-4 of Figure 2; v

Figure 5 is a section on the line 5-5 of Figure 1;

Figure 6 is a section on the line 6-6 of Figure 2;

Figure '7 is a fragmentary section on the line 5 l-I of Figure 1;

Figure 8 is a top plan view of the casing of the controlling mechanism partly broken away and showing diagrammatically the electrical connections to the controlling valve and to the motor 10 Referring particularly now to Figures 1 to 8, I0 20 designates a base of any suitable material to which is securely fastened as by screws II, the two angular members I2 and I3. Screwed into the angular member I3 are the two longitudinally extending rods I4', which rods pass through 25 the member I2. These rods I4 are shown as having screw-threaded engagement with the verti- .cal yportion of the angular member I3. Mounted upon these rods I I for sliding movement thereon is a slide or carriage I5 which is urged toward the 30 left in Figure 1 by the springs I6 which surround the rods I4 and bear at one end against the angular 'member I3 and at the other against the slide or carriage I5. This slide or carriage I5 slides freely upon the rods I4 but is urged toward the 35 left in Figure 5 by the spring I6. Extending loosely through the vertical portion of the angular member I3 is a rod I'I which is shown as having screw threaded engagement with the carriage I6. This rod at its outer end is formed witha hook 40 I8.

y Mounted upon the other end oi' the base I0 is an angular member I9 through which passes the shank of a screw 20. Having screw threaded engagement with the screw threaded shank 20 is a 45 movable clamp designated generally 2|, this clamp having a downwardly extending flange 22 through which the screw 20' passes and on its other side being formed with a downwardly extending flange 23 which rides upon the upper 50 face of the base I0. Mounted upon the member 2I are the two clamping members 24 and 2l shown as beinglformed of wood, though we do not wish to be limited -to this, .and held to the carriage 2| by means ofthe screws or bolts 25. 55

Rods 26 extend through the angle iron I9 and extend loosely through the flange 22, and surrounding these rods are the springs 21 which urge the member 2| toward the left in- Figure 1. When the screw 20 is turned in one direction, this sliding clamp 2| will be drawn rearward against the action lofthe springs 21, and when the screw is turned in the other direction, the clamp will be shifted forward or towards the member I3. Disposed between the sliding clamp 2| and the member I3 is an angular element 28 which carries upon it a comb 29 and also has an upwardly extending flange 36. ,E

For the purpose of controlling the action of the slide I5, we provide a plurality of strands, threads or yarns designated 3|, as shown in Figure 1. These strands at one end are clamped between the clamping elements 24' and pass between the dents of the comb 29 and then are converged and twisted, as at 32, and connected toa ring 33 which in turn is engaged over the hook I8. It will be seen that the contraction or expansion of these threads or yarns 3| will cause 'the rod I1 to move longitudinally in one direction or the other. When the threads contract, the rod I1 together with the slide I5 is shifted toward the right in Figure 1; When the threads expand, the springs I6 force the slide I5 toward the left in Figure 1.

For the purpose of indicating the amount of tension on the threads or yarns 3|, we provide a tension indicator designated generally 34 in Figure 1. This has a dial 35 which is provided with graduations and over which graduations a pointer 36 passes. This pointer is attached to a vertical shaft 31, as shown in Figure 3, carrying upon it a gear wheel 38. Mounted within the casing of the indicator 34 is a pivoted arm 39 pivoted at 40 and having a gear segment 4|. This segment engages with a rack tooth member 42 i nted upon the rod I1. It is to be understood that this rack tooth portion might be formed anywhere on the rod I1 that is convenient or along the slide I5 itself, in which case the indicator would be disposed opposite the slide I5. The coil spring 43 keeps the pointer 36 accurately set at all times. Above the dial 35 the casing is extended upward at 44 and the top plate 46 of the casing 45, which is mounted upon the base IIJ, has an opening coincident with this vertical extension 4'4 of the indicator casing, as shown in Figure 8, so that the indicator may be observed. This top plate 46 is perforated at 41 by a plurality of apertures, this apertured portion being substantially above the threads or yarns 3| so that the humidity of the room or loft in which this device is disposed may affect these yarns or threads.

It will be seen from Figure 8 there is provided a spray head, or moistening head designated generally 48 and which may be of any suitable or usual construction but is shown as being provided with an electric motor 49 which, when it is energized acts to force a very ne spray of water downward fron. the head 48. This head 48 is connected by a pipe 59 t0 a valve casing 5I and disposed above this valve casing is an electrical valve actuating mechanism 52 which may be of any suitable construction. I'he particular valve used and the particular form of the electrical actuating means therefor forms no part of our invention and, therefore, we have not illustrated these parts in detail.

The motor 49 is connected by wires 53 and 64 to line wires 5l and 56. 'l'hus the motor operates constantly but the supply of water is reduced or increased or cut oil entirely, depending upon the operation of the controlling mechanism which has been described. To this end, there is mounted upon the carriage I5 a supporting bracket 51 which carries upon it the insulating block 58 held to the bracket 51 by means of a screw 59. Having screw threaded engagement with this insulating member isv a. contact point 60 carrying a binding nut 6I to which the terminal of a Wire 62 is connected. This wire 62 extends to the valve operating mechanism contained within the casing 52, the other side of the electrically operated valve mechanism being connected to the wire 56 as previously stated. One wall of the angular element I2 is extended upward, as shown in Figure 2 at 63, and loosely disposed through an aperture of this upwardly extending wall 63 is a cylinder 64 closed at its outer end but open at its end confronting the bracket 51. 'Ihis cylinder is held in adjusted position within the aperture in the wall or arm 63 by means of a screw 65, as shown in Figure 1. This screw permits the cylinder to be adjusted longitudinally through the aperture and then held in its adjusted position. The member 63 is provided with a scale 66 which extends parallelto the cylinder 64 and the cylinder 64' is provided with a pointer 61, as shown in Figure 1, which is coordinated with this scale 66 to indicate the adjustment of the cylinder. Operating within the cylinder 64 is a plunger 68, as shown in Figure 7. This plunger operates against a spring 69 carried Within the cylinder, the plunger having a guide rod 10 which extends through this spring and out through the rear end of the cylinder 64. The plunger 68 is provided intermediate its length with an annular recess 1I and the cylinder carries a set screw 12 which engages in this recess. 'Ihe point of this set screw is relatively small, as shown in Figure 7, while the recess is considerably larger in Width than the diameter of the screw. Therefore, the plunger 68 may shift to a limited degree within the cylinder 64. The forward end of the plunger 68 carries upon it the gagement with the extremity of the plunger and carries on it the clamping nut 14. Engaging this screw is the terminal of the line wire 55. Hence it will be seen that when the two contact points 60 and 13 are brought together a connection will-be completed between the line 4wire 55 and the wire 62 and that current will pass from the line wire- 55 to the wire 62, thence to the electrically actuated valve operating mechanism 52 and thence by wire 56 back to the source of current. So long as these contacts are together, so long will the valve 5I be opened to permit the passage of water to the spray head. As soon as these contacts 60 and 13 separate, however, the circuit will be broken through the controlling valve, the controlling valve will close, and this will cut oifV the water supply to the spray head.

It is to be particularly noted from the drawings, particularly from Figure 7, that as the threads or yarns 3| absorb moisture, they will contract and mechanism 52 will not be broken immediately but that as the yarn orthreads 3| contract, the carriage I5 will move rearward very gradually andl the plunger will follow up without breaking the circuit until a predetermined regain has been secured. In adjusting this apparatus, the textile strands 3| are clamped in the clamp 24 and the ends of the strands are passed through the comb 23 twisted and tied to the ring 33 which is engaged'with the hook I 8. Tension is then applied to the yarn strands by means of the screw 20.

Moisture is then appliedto the yarn strands3l.

As the yarn strands aborb moisture, the strandsA 3| contract and draw the bracket 51 with the contact 50 toward the right in Fig. 2. The operator keepsv the plunger barrel 6l with its contact pushed forward as the contact 50 moves toward the right. The operator watches the pointer 33 at the same time. Now when the pointer on the register stops, this means that the strands 3| have absorbed all the moisture which they will naturally take or have reached, in other words, the point of full absorbence. When the pointer 36 stops, the thumb screw 55 is tightened and at the same time, the current on the humldifying mechanism shown in Fig. 8 is cut off. Thus the cylinder 64 is set and the supply of moisture is cut off. The thumb screw 55 is then again loosened and a gauge is slipped between the contact points 50 and 15. This gauge may be. for instance. 141000" thick and thus when the switch in the humidifier circuit is again closed (assuming, of course, that the gauge has been removed) the circuit'is broken through the instrument and an over-supply of moisture is held back. Now

when the strands 3| start to dry out, the slide I5 moves to the left in Fig. 2, and as soon as it and the contact 53 have movedv V1000", (assuming that the gauge is this thickness though much thinner gauges may be used if desired) the circuit to the humidifying mechanism will be again closed.

It is to be understood. that each yarn or thread,

depending upon its diameter and character,V will naturally take up a certain definite amount of moisture and no more, and this amount so naturally absorbed will be different from the amount absorbed by a thread or yarn of a different size or having different characteristics. It follows,

therefore, that merely to use threads or yarns not of the same character as the threads being woven or knitted will not accomplish the result desired because they will not have the same absorbence as the threads of the yarns being woven. They will reach full absorbence either quicker or lessv quickly than the threads being woven or knitted. Tests will readily showv the full natural absorbence of any particular yarn or thread. When the pointer 33 stops its movement on the scale, full absorbence has been reached, as before explained, then the cylinder 5l is set by its scale 51 in correlation with the point of `full natural absorbence so that at this point moisture will be cut olf.

With our construction, therefore, there is not an immediate break prior to full natural absorbence of the yarn or thread, but while the strands 3 |l are contracting to a point where they will have received all the moisture .they can absorb natur ally, the plunger 35 and contact 15 followI up the movement of slide I5 and contact 50 and keep up the dlschargeof moisture to the air until such full natural absorbence has been reached. Then and not until then, does the movement oi' plunger 53 stop (limited by screw 12) and the instant after the circuit which includes the wires 55 and 32 and the motor for the humidiiler is broken.

We do not wish to raise humidity beyond this point of fulll natural absorbence as raising the humidity beyond this point would render the threads or yarn being knitted or woven wet. The

moisture is thus controlled and supplied by the demand of the specific thread or yarn. While the 4thread in the loom knitting machine, etc.

Yarn is slow to absorb moisture and slow to contract. With our construction, the vgradual absorption of moisture is permitted without any break' until full absorption has been reached and if a fraction of humidity is lost, the humidifier circuit is closed until the full naturalabsorption has again been reached.

This device does not do its work from dry to wet but from a natural amount of humidity to full absorbance of the yarn and from fractions lost in relative humidity back vto full absorbance. When once properly connected up with the proper tension on the threads 3| (these threads, as before stated, having` exactly the same characterlstics as the threads or yarns being treated in thisportion of the mill) no regulator key need befusedfithe-control thereafter being absolutely automatic in every respect. By using lyarns or threads of exactly the same character, processed in the same way, having the sametwist and of identical character with the threads or yarn being used on the particular machine or machines with which the humidifier is associated, there can be no mistake made. If the threads on like contraction or expansion will occur with regard to the threads or yarns 3| and this will conf trol the humidifier so that Just the right amount of humidity will be discharged into the room' or that portion of the room where the machines are.

It will be understood, of course, that the strands or yarns are composed of filaments which are twisted together and that the strands contract by a tighter twisting action and expand by an untwisting action and that the same thing will occur with the strands' or yarns 3|.

This device may be used in association with looms, spinning machines and all other textile machines where it is necessary that the humidity in the room in which the machine .operatesshould `have a certain constant such as to maintain in the warp threads of a loom, for instance, a certain definite amount of moisture equal to the full natural absorbence of these warp threads.

With our structure, it islposslble, as shownin Figure 9, to place sets of machines in various section of the room, the spray head of that particular section will not operate, and if the humidity in that section goes down below a Ycertain point, the humidiiier will operate. Opened doors, ventilators, heating apparatus, etc. all tend to vary the air conditions in different sections of the mill, since at the present time, the controlling instruments are so expensive that only a few are placed in any one room of a mill. Our humidier controlling mechanism is of such simple construction that many of them may be placed in diierent sections of a room, as shown in Figure 9, to control the humidity in any particular portion of the room or loft. 'I'he mechanism is so simple that there is practically nothing to get out of order and very little adjustment of the instrument is needed. The mill hands themselves can always repair or change the control strands 3| by supplying to the controller an exact sample of the yarn strands as are being manufactured.

We are aware of the fact that there are various controlling devices or hyg'rostats now on the market but kthese hygrostats, as far as known to us, use human hair, animal membranes, -metal parts, etc., which are substances unlike the actual strands being woven or spun in the mills and these materials, which are unlike the textile fibres actually being used in the mill, do not control the cut-E Valve on the water supply line as effectively and properly as will textile yarn strands of exactly the same character, processing and preparation as the strands being actually Woven or spun on the weaving or spinning machines. Humidity regulators heretofore devised are set on a percentage basis or set to produce 65%, for instance. If this is enough to make the thread weave properly, very well. If this is not enough, another guess is made and, for instance, the regulator is set for 75%. If this is too much, then it is again set for 70%. With our humidity controlling element consisting of the strands 3|, there is no guess-work in determining the amount of humidity as the threads or yarns 3| control the percentage needed for the yarn on the loom.

It is to be understood that even though the yarns being operated on and the yarns or threads useci in the controlling mechanism are of the same number but of different twist, the apparatus would not work properly. It is necessary,

therefore, that the yarn used in the controlling mechanism should be of exactly the same number, of the same identical character and have the same twist in order to secure a proper control of the humidifying element with relation to the yarn lassists the twist to cause the yarn to contract and causes contact points to break away without any gain. This makes it necessary to use a key to calibrate or adjust the control mechanism. Our mechanism -includes the plunger 68 operating within the adjustable cylinder 64 andthis plunger holds the electrical contact 13 in vengagement with the contact 60 until full absorbence is achieved. After yarn has absorbed all the humidity that it will, then it becomes too wet unless humidity is cut ofi. Our controlling mechanism does not work from dry to wet but from a natural amount of moisture to full labsorbence and then from fractions lost in relative humidity. We achieve three purposes by our mechanism, namely, First, we eliminate entirely the necessity of using a key for calibrating purposes; second. we equalize the tension on the textile machines; third, we hold back relative gains after full absorbence of moisture in the yarn has been secured.

While we have illustrated an electrically ac' tuated valve for controlling the passage of water to the spray head, it is to be understood that we do not wish to be limited to an electrically operated valve as the well known type of airport diais provided with a longitudinally extending bore .16 and the end of the member 68B through which the bore extends is formed with a concave seat 11. The rear end of the cylinder 68a is prolonged at 18 and this is connected by a--exible hose connection 19. This flexible hose in turn is connected to an air line which leads to a diaphragm valve for controlling the water supply to the spray head. The .diaphragm valve has a chamber above the diaphragm provided with an inlet opening and an outlet opening. Ihe inlet opening is less in diameter th`an the outlet opening so that if the outlet opening be stopped for any reason, pressure will build up above the diaphragm and act to depress the water control valve against the action of a spring. Inasmuch as the construction of this form of diaphragm actuating valve is well known and forms no part of our invention, we have not illustrated it. Of course, with a diaphragm actuated valve, a different type of sprayer or atomizer will be used actuated upon a lifting of the diaphragm operated valve and closed when the diaphragm operated valvecloses. This is a well lknown type of spray head and, therefore, it is not deemed necessary to illustrate it, but we have deemed it necessary to show that in place of the contacts 60 and 15 that it is possible to pneumatically control the spray by either stopping the outlet from the diaphragm chamberv by engagement, of the plug iill-l in the seat 11 or permit the discharge of the spray when the plug 6l)a mounted upon the carriage I5 is moved away from the seat 11. 'I'he cylinder 68 will follow up the movement of the carriage and of the plug 6|!a by reason of the spring 69 which has the same function as the spring 69.

Attention is called to the fact that there is a partition I0 disposed across the casing Il), this partition being disposed between the perforations 41 and the indicator 35. 'I'hrough this partition there is an opening through whichl passes the twisted portion 32 of the yarn. 'I'he twisted portion 32 is to the left of this partition in Figure 1, while the yarn ends disposed all in a single plane are to the right of this partition. It is the yarn ends 3|, therefore, which are dis- 'posed in this single plane which are exposed to -at all times so that expansion and contraction is the moisture due to the perforations of thecover while the manually twisted portion 32 is to the right of the partition. 'I'hus the yarn ends 3| lwill be moistened while the manually twisted portion will be more or less dry. Each of the up or contracts the twisted portion 32 and thus acts upon the controlling mechanism as before described. The yarn ends 3| are exactly equal in number to the number of warp threads in a square inch of the goods being manufactured if the controller is used in connection with looms or is equal tothe numberof ends being spun on spinning frames. l'I'he initial tension given to the yarn ends 3| is to be the same as the initial tension of the Warp threads or yarns on the loom or in the spinning frames. The tension I- on these warp threads or the roving on the lspinning frames may L'be readily calculated by the ordinary instruments commonly used for this purpose.

In the operation of this device, after proper initial amount of tension is placed upon the yarns 3| by means of the screw 20, the indicator 35 will register this tension and the cylinder 64 is y iends 3| are bone dry, that moisture will be absorbed by the yarn ends until it is equalized with the natural moisture in the atmosphere. This, it may be assumed, will be less than the moisture necessary or desirable to be given to the yarn being treated. At this point, the springs I6 are still holding the contacts in engagement with each other and the spray will be operating.

As'more moisture is absorbed by the yarns `lll, the carriage will move further toward the right in Figure 1 or Figure 7, but as` the carriage moves to the right, the plunger 6,8 will move with or in the same direction as the carriage, keeping I contacts 6| and 15 closed until the desired amount of moisture has been absorbed, which depends upon the setting of the cylinder 64.' At

the point where the-yarn 3| has taken up the amount of moisture necessary for the treatment of the yarns on machines with which the controller is associated andI this yarn is just moist enough for proper treatment, the contraction of the yarn 3| withdraws contact 60 from contact 15 and the sprayer stops. If now there should be a fractional loss of moisture in the yarn, the carriage` -will move4 rearward under `the action of theA springs I6 and contact 60 will again engage the contact 15 until this fractional loss has been regained. As soon as this fractional loss has been regained, the contraction of the yarn 3| will retract the carriage to a point where the contacts will be broken and the spray head willstop.

It will be noticed that with our construction, the yarn ends 3| are held in a taut condition transmitted to the rod\|1 and the carriage I5.

In Figure 9. we have illustrated diagrammati-` cally the general disposition of atomizing heads 48 and controlling means therefor as arranged on a mill floor, V indicating vents in the roof of the room at the intersection of transverse passages. We have'also indicated on this diagram or plan the position of looms or other textile operating mechanism using various numbers of yarn and various endssor yarns to the inch. A controlling mechanism constructedin accordance with our invention is associated with each set oi?y looms so as to keep each section of the mill floor and each set of looms properly humidifled. Thus the humidiflcation of. looms using #22 yarn, 64 ends to the inch, requires a different humidiiication from the looms using, for instance, 66 ends of #30 yarn or 72 ends to the inch of yarn. Where spindles are used as in spinning frames, the yarn strands 3| used in the controller would be equal to the number of spindles. If, for instance, there were 64 spindles with one yarn orA end to each spindle, we would use 64 ends or threads in the controller having exactly the same number. twist, etc., as the yarn on the spindles. All sprays or humidiers and all regulators are located overhead but the controllers would be located in the most convenient position where the number of ends may be changed by the workmen to suit the number of ends and character of the yarn used on the looms and spinning frames and, of course, these `controllers would be associated with their appropriate looms or spinning frames.

There is a requisite or desirable amount of humidity for each specific number of yarn with its specific -twist and its specific character, and

experience has shown us that the only way to automatically control the amount of moisture for the specic'yarn being treated is to use that same yarn as a controller. A single yarn or strand will not secure suilicient power to operate a controller which will in turn operate as our controller does against the action of certain springs and will operate to make and break contact. It is, therefore, necessary to use a plurality of yarn threads and in order to get the proper proportion of yarn threads, we use, as before stated, the same number of threads as there are warp threads in a square inch of goods being manufactured, or as there are rovings or yarns being spun, and itis necessary that th'ese controlling yarns such as 3| in our. drawings shall be placed under exactly the same initial tension or natural tension as the yarns in the loom or on the spinning frames. Thus the yarns 3| are subjected to exactly the same atmosphere as the warp threads which are being operated on by the textile machinery. It is necessary, therefore, that the yarns 3| shall be assembled first as to the number of the yarn, second as to the number of warp threads in a square inch ofthe goods,

and third, we provide a mechanism which will respond to the contraction and expansion of these proportionate number of threads 3|. This controller starts the spray until these yarn threads 3| have absorbed all the moisture they should have before a degree of wetness is detectedA and stop the spray when the full and proper amount of moisture has been absorbed by the yarn ends 3| and the yarnends. on the looms before the yarns become unduly wet.

We `have thus provided a complete and unitary controlling mechanism in which yarn ends of by machinery are used for predetermining the amount of moisture required for any specic yarn, or thread or roving. It is to be particularly noted that with this mechanism, the spray i head'is notcut oil" immediately upon the rearward movement of the carriage due to a slight contraction of the yarn, but that the water sup- Y f ply valve is kept open until a point of full absorbance has been reached. This point of full absorbance does not mean that the yarn is wet. By this term, we mean that the yarn has fully absorbed that amount of moisture which is necnor to the particular form of spray head used.

What is claimed is:- A 1.' A humidifier control mechanism for textile mills including means for clamping one end of a plurality of separate, parallel textile strands having the same character as the strands of the fabric being operated on in the mill, means at this end for adjustably controlling the tension of said strands, a slidably movable member to which the other ends of the textile strands are operatively connected, a means urging said member away from the textile strands, a spray head or atomizer, awater supply therefor, a valve controlling the water supply to the atomizer, and means operated by a movement of the member upon an expansion of the textile strands acting to open said valve and upon a predetermined 'contraction of the textile strands acting to close said valve. v

2. A humidiiier controlling mechanism of the character described, comprising a base, a clamp at one end of said base, adjustable means for retracting said clamp, a slide mounted for rectilinear movement at the other end of said base, means#r urging the slide away from the clamping means, a rod connected to the slide and moving therewith, a plurality of textile strands having the same character as the textile strands being operated on in proximity to said controlling means, the like ends of the strands being engaged by said clamping means, a comb throughwhich the other ends of the strands pass, means connecting the strands to said rod, a humidifying mechanism valve controlling the supply of water to humidifying mechanism, and means operating upon apredeterminc elongation of the strands and a predetermined movement of the slide away from the strands to open said valve.

3. A humidifier controlling mechanism of the character described, comprising a base, a clamp at one end of said base, adjustable means for retracting said clamp, a slide mounted for rectilinear movement at the other end of said base, means urging the slide away from the clamping means, a rod connected to the slide and moving therewith, a plurality of textile strands having the same character as the textile strands being operated on in proximity to said controlling means, the like ends of the strands being engaged by said clamping means, a comb through which the other ends of the strands pass, means connecting the strands to said rod, a humidifying means operating upon a predetermined ,61011811-Y Vexactly the -same character as those being treated tion of the strands and a predetermined movement of the slide away from the strands to cause the controlling means to discharge moisture, said means acting to operate the humidifier controi-l ling means to cut oi the discharge of moisture from the humidifier mechanism upon a predetermined contraction of the strands and a corresponding movement of the slide.

4.' A humidier controlling mechanism including a base, a clamp mounted upon one end of the base, means for retracting or advancing the clamp, a slide mounted upon the other end of the base for rectilinear movement toward or from the clamp, means urging the slide away from the clamp, a rod extending from the slide toward the clamp, a plurality of textile strands engaged at one end by said clamp, a comb through which the strands pass, .the strands being twisted beyond the comb and operatively engaged with said rod, a dial having a pointer operatively engaged with the rod to indicate the movement of the rod and slide as the strands are placed under tension and contract or expand, a humidifying mechanism, a valve controlling the supplyY of water thereto, and means actuated by a predetermined movement of the slide in a direction away from the clamp 'due to the elongation of the textile strands Iacting to open said valve upon a predetermined movement of the slide and acting to close said valve upon a predetermined reverse movement of the slide.

5. An apparatus of the character described, including a base, a clamp mounted upon one end of the base, manually ladjustable means for retracting said clamp, a slide mounted upon the other end of the -base for rectilinear movement toward or from the clamp, springs urging said slide away from the clamp, a rod extending from the slide toward the clamp, a plurality of textile strands e'ngaged at one end by said clamp, a comb through hich the strands pass, the strands being twisted eyond the comb and operatively engaged with the rod, a humidifying mechanism, an electrlcally actuated means forv controlling the dis.- charge ofmoisture from the humidifying mechanism, a contact carried by the slide and electrically connected to the operating mechanism for the humidifier controlling means, said operating mechanism' being connected at one side to a source of current, and a second contact mounted in the path of movement of the first named contact and adjustable toward or from the rst named contact and electrically connected to the source of current.

6. An apparatus of the character described, including a base, a clamp mounted upon one end of the base, manually adjustable means for retracting said-clamp, a slide mounted upon the other end of the base for rectilinear movement toward or from the clamp, springs urging said slide away from the clamp, a rod extending from the slide toward the clamp, a plurality of textile strands engaged at one end by said clamp, a comb through which the strands pass, the strands being twisted beyond the comb and operatively engaged with the rod, a humidifier, an electrically actuated means for controlling the discharge of moisture from the humidier, a contact carried by the slide and electrically connected to one side of the humidiiler controlling means, a cylinder adjustable toward or from the rst named contact, a contact carried within the cylinder and having limited movementtherein, a spring projecting the contact from the cylinder toward the movement of the contactwithin the cylinder, the

second named contact being electrically connected to a line wire and the other side of said electrical valve actuating means being connected to said line wire.

7. An apparatus of the character described, including a base, a clamp mounted upon one end of the base, manually adjustable means for retracting said clamp, aslide mounted upon the other end of the base for rectilinear movement toward or from the clamp, springs urging said slide away from the clamp, a rod extending from the slide toward the clamp,l al plurality of textile strands engaged at one end by said clamp, a comb through which the strands-pass, the strands being twisted beyond the comb and operatively engaged with the rod, a humidifier, an electrically actuated means for controlling the discharge of moisture from the'humidier, a contact carried by the slide and electrically connected to one side of the said humidier controlling means, a

`cylinder yadjustable toward or from the iirst named contact, a contact carried within the cylinder and ,having limited movement therein, a spring projecting the contact from the cylinder toward the rst named contact, means permitting rectilinear movement of the contact within the cylinder, the second lnamed contact being electrically connected to aline wire and textile strands engaged by said clamp, a comb through which the textile strands pass, the

- strands beyond said comb being twisted and beingV positively connected to the rod, means for manually adjusting the clamptoward or from the comb, means for indicating the amount of tension under which the strands are placed, a humidifier, a means controlling the discharge of moisture therefrom, electrically actuated means Iorsaid means, a contact carried by the slide, a second contact with which the rst named contact engages when the slide moves away from the said clamp upon an expansion of the strands,

said contacts being connected in circuit with a source of power and the humidiiler controlling means, and a perforated cover disposed over the base and enclosing said mechanism.

9. A humidifier controlling mechanism includ? ing a base, a clamp mounted upon one end of the base, a slide mounted upon the base, means urging said slide away from the clamp, a' rod `cone `nected to the slide, a series of textile strands disposed in a single plane and engaged by said clamp, a comb through which the strands pass, the strands beyond said limb being twisted and being positively connectd'to the rod, means for `toward the plug.

and means keeping said controlling elements in engagement with each other for a predetermined portion of the movement of the slide toward the clamping means.

10. A .humidier controlling mechanism including a base, a clamp mounted upon one end of the base, a slide mounted upon vthe base, means urging said slide away from the clamp, a rod connected to the slide, a series of textile strands disposed in a single plane. and engaged by said clamp, a comb through which the strands pass, the strands beyond said comb being twisted and being positively connected to the rod, means for manually adjusting the clamp toward or from the comb to initially tension the strands, means for indicating the amount of tension under-which the strands are placed, a humidifier controlling element carried by the slide, a second humidifier controlling element with which 'the rst named element engages when the slide moves away from said clamp upon an expansion ofthe strands,

vmeanskeeping said humidier controlling elements in engagement with each other for a predetermined portion of the movement of the slide toward the clamping means, a casing enclosing the base and the parts mounted thereon, and a partition extending entirely across the casing and through which the twistedportions of the strands pass, the portion of the casing above the untwisted portions o1 the strands being perforated.

` 1v1. An apparatus oi' the character described, including a base, a clamp mounted upon one end of the base, manually adjustable means for retracting said clamp, a slide mounted for rectilinear movement toward or from the clamp, means urging said slide away from the clamp, a plurality of' textile strands disposed in asingle plane and engaged at one end by said clamp, a comb through which the strands pass, thestrands beyond the comb being twisted and operatively engaged withl the slide, electrically operated means for controlling the discharge of moisture from a humidif ller, a controlling element forsaid electrically operated means movable with the slide, a rigid support, a cylinder adjustably carried by the support in line with the rst named controlling element, a second controlling element for said electrically operated means and disposed within the cylinder, a spring urging the second controlling element toward the first named controlling element, vand means on the cylinder limiting j plane, a comb through which the strands pass,-

the strands after passing through the comb being operatively engaged with the slide, a humidier, an air actuated valve controlling the humidifier, an air vent pipe operatively connected to the valve actuating means and having a port, a plug movable with the slide and normally closing the vent port, a longitudinally adjustable element carrying the,air vent pipe, 'a spring urging the air vent pipe toward the plug, and means on the cyll inder limiting the movement o1' the air vent pipe 13. In a`mechanism of the character described, a humidiiler and a main controlling means therefor, including a clamp, a; plurality of strands disposed in said clamp and extending in a single plane, a slide to which said strands are operatively connected, means urging said slide in a direction away from the clamp, a humidier controlling element mounted on the slide, a second humidifier controlling element coacting with the first named element, the two elements when in contact with each other causing the operation of the humidifier and when separated from each other stopping the operation of the humidiiler, and means keeping said controlling elements in engagement with each other for a predetermined portion of the movement of said slide toward the clamping means before said elements separate. t

14. A humidifier controlling mechanism for textile mills, including two electrically engageable contacts, one movable with relation to the other,

the movable contact having electrical engagement with the other contact during a certain extent of .movement, but upon a predetermined -greater extent of movement breaking said engagewith the other contact.

15. A humidiier controlling mechanism for textile mills, including two electrically engageable contacts, one movable with relation to the other, the movable contact having electrical engagement with the other contact during a certain extent of movement, but upon a predetermined greater extent of movement breaking said engagement; a plurality of parallel separate textile strands;

means clamping the like ends of the strands;

means operatively engaging the other'ends of the strands with said movable contact to thereby cause its l'movement in a direction to separate the contacts as the strands contract by the absorption of moisture; means keeping the strands under tension and urging the movable contact having means whereby it may be held in its adjusted position, the movable contact having electrical engagement with the other contact during a certain extent of movement but upon a predetermined greater extent of movement breaking said engagement; a plurality of parallel separate textile strands; means clamping the like ends of the strands; means operatively engaging theA other endsof the strands with said first named movable contact to thereby cause its movement in a direction to separate' the adjustable contact and the movable contact as the strands contract` by absorption of moisture; and lmeanskeeping the strands under tension andy urging the mov'- able contact in a direction to keep it in engagement with the other contact, the contacts beingv i `so constructed and arranged as toremain in electrical engagement with each other until just before the point of full absorption of moisture by the strands has been reached.

` 17. A humidier control vmechanism for textile mills, including means for clamping one end of a plurality of separate parallel textilel strands; means for tensioning the textile strands; a slidably movable member to which the other ends of the textile strands are operatively connected; means urging said member away'from the textile strands, humidifying mechanism, means controlling the discharge of moisture from the humidifying mechanism; and means operatedby a movement of the member .upon an expansion of i the textile strands due to evaporation of moisture therefrom acting to operate said humidifying means to discharge more moisture into the air and upon a predetermined contraction of the strands acting to operate said humidifying means to decrease or cut off the discharge of moisture.

ARCHIE H. BEASLEY. DAVID H. DONAI-ICO. 

